A different day, a different ground. Leicester, for the 2nd day of Leicestershire's Championship game against Gloucestershire, why can't they make it easy to get to from Northampton?
Arrived at the ground just before the start where Gloucester started the 2nd day 177-3. Kane Williamson moved on from his overnight 102 to 149 before he was brilliantly caught low down by the giant Will Jefferson off Hoggard. At the other end Alex Gidman, the captain anchored the innings and was unbeaten at lunch after bringing up his fifty with a six off Henderson as the Leicester bowlers were looking pretty weak, even Kadeer Ali bowled an over, on a flat pitch with Gloucester 286-4.
After lunch, Gidman moved on past his hundred for the first time since 2009. His brother Will was the only wicket to fall lbw to Jigar Naik as Gloucester carried on to 419-5 at tea with Alex cracking his 150 and Gloucester scrambled their final batting point off the penultimate ball of the 110th over. Throughout the session, Hoggard kept the fielders awake with his witty banter.
Tea seemed to bring with it an improvement in the bowlers as the Gloucester quick run search turned into wickets with Gidman finally falling to Henderson for an excellent 168. Ed Young and Jon Batty then fell to Naik as Leicester fought their way back, Ian Saxelby hit Henderson for a massive six into the pavilion before Naik had him lbw as well. Jon Lewis hit Henderson for another six, then with a missed stumping bringing two byes, the declaration came with Gloucester 504-9.
This left Leicester 8 overs to bat and they did this to finish 15-0, Boyce (14*) taking 12 off one over from Saxelby.
Overall the day wasn't that great for Leicester although their good over rate (+8 at one point) meant play finished at exactly 6pm. Naik was the pick of the bowlers with 4-91 although Hoggard(3-80) looked menacing when the new ball had been taken.
